History / Culture / Tour Spots in Kainan / Arita / Minabe / Tanabe Area

  • Kumano Hongu Taisha shrine
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    4.5
    554 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchouhongu
    This Shinto shrine is one of the Three Head Kumano Shrines which serve as the headquarters of all Kumano shrines nationwide. Known as the first stop on the penance-filled Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage, since ancient times this shrine has been visited by countless worshipers of the Kumano faith, which seeks to achieve self-enlightenment through penance. The main building was erected in the Asuka period and was relocated to its current location after being damaged in the Great Flood of 1889. After climbing 158 stone steps through a cedar forest, the shrine’s four hinoki bark-thatched buildings will appear, which enshrine Ketsumiko no okami and the shrine’s three other chief gods.

    This shrine is very nice and even 3 of 5 parts are from origin (saved by the flood) , this worth it to come. You can smell the tree odor in this shrine. Roof are amazing

  • Dojo-ji Temple
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    4.5
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunhidakagawachou Kanemaki 1738
    Located in Kanemaki, Hidakagawa Town, this Buddhist temple was founded in 701 and is the oldest in Wakayama. The temple’s principal object of worship, a thousand-armed figure of Kannon, is over 1,300 years old and one of the oldest in Japan. This and two other designated National Treasures are housed in the temple’s treasure hall, as well as 11 Important Cultural Properties, and four prefecturally-designated Cultural Properties, all of which are viewable by visitors year-round.

    時間の関係から本堂内の拝観は叶いませんでしたが、外から本堂内正面を窺う事が出来ました。又、裏手に回ってみると「道成寺の七不思議」の内、⑤-⑦が掲示されており、33年に一度だけ御開帳される「秘仏千手観音像」についてイラスト付きで紹介されていました。

  • Kumano Kodo Kan Pilgrimage Center
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    3.5
    10 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Nakahechichoukurisugawa 1222-1
    This free rest area is located in Nakahechi Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture and serves as the tourist information facility for both the 12 “Grand Shrines” and the Kumano Kodo road. The 12-side building based on these shrines serves as a landmark. There’s a video introducing Nakahechi and materials related to Kumano Kodo, as well as articles from Takijirioji Shrine on display. There’s also an area where you can take photos dressed in kimono, as well as works by a local pottery group and other goods for sale.

    熊野古道中辺路の案内と歴史紹介を兼ねた情報拠点となる施設。 熊野懐紙や滝尻王子社の所蔵品の展示をはじめ、中辺路のDVD紹介、熊野古道に関する資料や中辺路の観光情報などを発信している。 町内の12の王子社にちなんだ12角形の建物。滝尻王子の向かいにあります。 平安時代の衣装を借りて、写真撮影できます。 お土産も少ないですが、あります。

  • Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Wakayama Pref. Kainanshi Funo 370-1
    The Wakayama Prefectural Museum of Natural History in Funoo, Kainan City, has two exhibition spaces. The first is an aquarium and the second is dedicated to animals and plants, geology, fossils and diorama exhibits. Events inside the museum as well as outdoor events such as nature observation tours and excavation trips are held from time to time making it a great place to learn about the rich and diverse wildlife and nature around Wakayama.

    即位礼正殿の儀の慶祝行事として、入館料が無料となっていました。全滅となったと報道されていた大水槽も復旧していました。早く、以前のように、多く、大きな魚が、泳ぎ回る姿を見たいものです。

  • Minakata Kumagusu Archives
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    4.0
    15 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Nakayashikimachi 36
    This facility houses books and other materials that belonged to Kumagusu Minakata, a modern scholar of natural history, theology, and folklore. It is next to the residence he inhabited in his later years in Nakayashiki Town, Tanabe City, Wakayama Prefecture. Inside, you’ll find exhibits that explain his accomplishments, life, the region, and so on. The second floor contains a study and an area where you can read reproduced materials. The copy of Kumagusu’s resume, written on a roll of 7.8 meter-long-paper in fine print, is a must-see. Entry is free, though entry to the adjoining residence requires a fee.

    南方熊楠の博物館ですが、立派なものが白浜町にあるため顕彰館として後でできました。キノコや日本犬などの生物学の研究資料が展示されています。無料の施設です。柳田國男や水木しげるをはじめとした交流の手紙があります。

  • Jinburo
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    4.0
    20 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Aridagunyuasachou Yuasa 428
    This museum is approximately ten minutes on foot from JR Yuasa Station. It occupies a public bath house founded in the Edo Period (1603–1868) in Shimoshincho, part of Yuasa's Important National Preservation District for Groups of Traditional Buildings. The current structure was built in the early Meiji Period (1868–1912), and the locals used it for recreation until it closed in 1985. The town restored it after taking over the property, and it maintains the look of years gone past. The bath house has posters from the Showa Period (1926–1989) and old telephones, and the main hall has a collection of donated stage props on display.

    醤油の町湯浅にあるお風呂屋さん。下新町の小道にあり、建物内部が公開されています。お風呂屋さんじたいも興味深いですが、裏の家屋部分も残されていて、資料館になっています。当時の生活様式も知れることができます。

  • Kokoku-ji Temple
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    4.5
    16 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunyurachou Monzen 801
    Originally founded as a Shingon-sect temple called Saihouji temple in 1227 this temple in Yura Town, Hidaka County, Wakayama, is now a Rinzai-sect Buddhist temple affiliated with the Myojin-ji school. It converted to a Zen Buddhist temple in 1258 before later becoming a famous temple in the Rinzai-sect. The area is famous as being the birthplace of Kinzanji-miso, soy-sauce, and the shakuhachi bamboo flute. While the temple treasure is kept secret, it is home to other Important Cultural Properties of Japan including a masterpiece seated statue and a silk painting of Master Kokushi, both from the Kamakura period. The Tengu Festival held every January on the Coming of Age Day and the Fire Festival held August 15th always draw large numbers of visitors.

    天狗堂の大きな天狗面が特徴的な臨済宗寺院でした。紀伊由良駅から徒歩10分程かかりましたが、参道に向かう交叉点には大きな天狗の標識もあり迷う事はありませんでした。きちんと整備された境内は広くオフシーズンでも参拝者が目立っていました。

  • Fujishiro-jinja Shrine
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    4.0
    17 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Kainanshi Fujishiro 466
    This shrine is located in Fujishiro, Kainan City. It is referred to as “the first torii gate of Kumano” since it serves as Kumano’s entrance. This shrine is one of the “Gotai Oji,” which are the most distinguished of the “Kyujukyu Oji” (99 Grand Shrines). The shrine grounds contain a camphor tree that’s over 1,000 years old said to protect children, as well as the remains of the estate said to belong to the first “Suzuki.”

    楠の巨樹が立派でした。 日本で最も多いと言われる鈴木姓の発祥地とされます。鈴木のルーツは神主にあると聞いていましたが、おおむね当たっているよう。藤白のみ坂の入口に鎮座していて、古代万葉の世界へ誘われます。

  • Chohoji Temple
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    4.0
    12 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Kainan-shi Shimotsucho Kami 689
    This temple in Shimotsu-cho, Kainan City was built in the year 1000 on the order of Emperor Ichijo. The temple grounds cover about 33,000 square meters and include the mausoleum for generations of the Kishu Tokugawa family, the largest feudal lord graveyard in Japan. It is also the only temple other than Horyuji Temple that has a main temple building, a tahoto (two-stories) pagoda, and a large front gate that are designated as National Treasures.

    何も期待せず、訪れましたが、良かったです。 昨年の台風の影響で一部の施設が見学出来ませんでしたが、それでも眺め良し。

  • Takijirioji
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Nakahechichoukurisugawa 1226
    Located at a spot where the Tonda River and Ishiburi River meet, this course leads to the holy “Kumano Sanzan” shrines. The “Uwadawa Chaya Ato” site is about 600 meters above ground at the end of a steep path. This shrine is one of the “Gotai Oji,” which are the most distinguished of the “Kyujukyu Oji” (99 Grand Shrines).
  • Inamura-no-Hi no Yakata
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    4.0
    10 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Wakayama Pref. Aridagunhirogawachou Hiro 671
    When a tsunami was generated after a major earthquake in 1854, Hamaguchi Goryo set fire to the rice straw stacked in his own fields in order to guide the local villagers toward safety. This museum is comprised of two halls, Hamaguchi goryo Archives introducing the life of Hamaguchi Goryo and anecdotes relating to his character, and Tsunami Educational Center which conveys the dangers of earthquakes and tsunami as well as important disaster prevention knowledge. Game-based exhibits, videos, and simulators present disaster prevention information relating to the topics of first-aid, prevention, and recovery. Closest station: Yuasa Station.

    3階建の《津波防災教育センター》と濱口珸陵の生家を利用した《濱口珸陵記念館》で構成されています。こちらに訪問する機会あれば《津波防災教育センター》1階にある[津波シミューレーション(ミニ津波が見れます)][3D津波映像シアター(毎時 00分と30分)]は見逃せません。《濱口珸陵記念館》内の展示品の中に [広村堤防(国指定史跡;高さ5m 幅20m 長さ600m)]築造の模型があります。又 庭園そのも...

  • Kozanji Temple
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    4.0
    9 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Inarichou 392
    This ancient temple that overlooks downtown Tanabe is of the Omuro School of the Shingon Sect and is said to be founded be saint Kobodaishi (Kukai). Famous for the Sakura blossoms, many visitors come to worship and enjoy the annual Kozanji Temple Spring Festival. On the grounds is a rare, even for Japan, two-story pagoda honoring Prince Shotoku (known as Uenomiya Taishi), and also a shell mound unearthed from the prehistoric early Jomon period. On the coastal side, are the graves of the biologist, Kumagusu Minakata said to be the father of mycology, and the founder of the self-defense art, Aikido, Ueshiba Morihei.

    有名なお寺というわけではないですけど、庭園はとてもきれいでよかったです。静かな場所ですので、ゆっくりと庭園をみれることができたので気分よくなりました。こういう所が増えればいいのに。

  • Hosshinmon Oji
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Honguchoumikoshi 1652-1
    Hosshinmon Oji is one of the 99 shrines on the Kumano Sanzan pilgrimage route. Of these 99 shrines, five are considered to be the most prestigious and are called the Gotai Oji, of which Hosshinmon Oji is one. The walking path from Hosshinmon Oji to the Kumano Hongu Taisha Grand Shrine is a popular route because it has many gentle downhill slopes.
  • Kumanokodo Nakahechi Museum of Art
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    3.5
    2 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Wakayama Tanabe-shi Nakahechicho Chikatsuyu 891
    "You can reach this museum by taking the Ryujin Bus bound for Hongu Taisha-Mae and getting off at the Nakahechi Bijutsukan stop. It mainly displays the work of two painters from Wakayama Prefecture's Tanabe City: Banka Nonagase, who formed Hakuensha and contributed greatly to the local arts, and Ryoun Watase, the Deputy Administrative Director and juror at Nihon Nangain who went on to receive the Wakayama Prefecture Distinguished Cultural Service Prize. The museum itself was the first work of the internationally active architectural team “Kazuyo Sejima + Ryue Nishizawa / SANAA."""

    国道311号線を走っていれば、急に開けた道の駅などもある交差点を北へと、多分間違いようはなかろうか。 田辺市は公私の南方熊楠の博物館・記念館は立派で、市立・地域・県立の図書館もあるが、志を維持できない施設もあるのかもしれない。

  • Nokami Hachimangu Shrine
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    3.5
    6 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Kaiso-gun Kiminocho Shobata 625
    This associated shrine of the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine is located on high ground looking down on the town of Nokami from the Takanonishi Highway that runs along the Makuni River. It is believed that long ago it was the site of a temporary palace used by Empress Jingu for three years during her triumphant return from the Conquest of Korea. Following the introduction of manorialism in the region starting sometime in the 11th century the shrine gained great prominence equaling that of the Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine. However, the shrine would undergo repeated ruin and revival due to factors including attacks by the Negoro-shu (an order of warrior monks) and the separation of Shinto from Buddhism following the Meiji Restoration. The vividly-colored vermillion lacquered main shrine, the hip-and-gable roofed front shrine, and other parts of the shrine have been designated as National Important Cultural Assets. An autumn festival featuring lion dance performances and other attractions is held in mid-October each year.

    道路側から石段を上がって木製の鳥居を潜って行くと正面奥に大きな絵馬が目に入りました。干支に因んだ大きな絵馬には「開運招福」とあり高校生が描いたもの、横には「大願成就」と記された中学生が描いたものの2つが掲げられていました。又、境内の由緒によると本殿や拝殿等々は重要文化財に指定されているようでした。

  • Kishu Binchotan Museum
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    4.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Hidakagunminabechou Kiyokawa 1267
    "This facility in Minabe Town located in the middle of Wakayama Prefecture showcases the technology, history and culture surrounding binchotan, a high grade of traditional charcoal. Among the most highly produced charcoals in the nation, local Kishu binchotan has a history that reaches back to the Heian period. The museum has a variety of items on display including a xylophone made of binchotan. They sell the charcoal itself, as well as specialty sweets made with it like their “Sumi-aisu"" ice cream. You can also try making wind chimes and bracelets with binchotan if you book ahead. Local elementary schools sometimes visit for field trips too."

    無料で入館でき、備長炭が出来るまでの工程や、その発展の歴史を知ることができます。帰り際、備長炭アイスを買いましたが、炭のジャリジャリ感があり、評価が別れるだろうと思いました。

  • Onko Densho-kan Sake Brewery Museum / Kuroushi Chaya
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    3.5
    5 Reviews
    Leisure / Hobbies
    Wakayama Pref. Kainanshi Kuroe 846
    "This is the library for the sake-maker. The exhibition hall was used by the old sake brewery, and exhibits tools for producing sake from the Nate Sake Brewery as well as daily living items at that time. You can learn sake-brewing methods from the Edo period (1603-1868) and see business records with the abundant materials. The Black Cattle Teahouse on the opposite side is a reception area and cafe with tables and chairs made from sake-making tools to create a warm atmosphere. Besides being able to taste of sake such as ""Kuroushi"" and ""Hitotsukami,"" you can also relax with coffee or sweet sake. In addition, they sell mainly products from Nate Sake Brewery and also local Wakayama souvenirs such as sake vessels."

    海南市にある、和歌山の銘酒、黒牛の蔵元のお店と資料館。駐車場も広くとられています。黒牛の大吟醸から新酒まで、あらゆる銘柄が購入できます。迷ったらこれ、純米吟醸をお土産に買って帰りました。

  • Ichiganji Temple
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    4.5
    4 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Tanabeshi Nakahechichounishidani 575
    The name Ichiganji means “temple of one request,” and it is dedicated to the bodhisattva Jizo, who is said to grant the requests of those who ask at least once. Since the Buddhist priest who enshrined the statue of Jizo was fond of mustard and sake, people who have a request to make should bring offerings of mustard and sake. The temple’s major festival is held on the last Sunday in February. Votive sake is given to the people in attendance, and at mochi rice cakes are thrown at the end of the ceremony.

    田辺市の山奥にあるお寺です。 一つだけ願いが叶うと言われています。年一回、お願いをしにいっています。なかなか叶いません笑

  • Kumano Kodo Historical Folk Museum
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    3.0
    5 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama Pref. Aridashi Itogachou Nakaban 330-2 Yoko Elementary School Horizontal
    This folk museum in Itogacho, Arida City is next to Itoga Inari-jinja Shrine, thought to be the oldest in Japan. It mainly displays items related to the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route such as the poet Fujiwara no Teika's diary. It also has an area that's a reproduction of the tea house which was once at Itoga Pass, as well as a picture scroll of Fujiwara no Teika's 328-kilometer journey from Kyoto to Kumano. They have facilities like a rest area near the entrance, vending machines, and bathrooms. It's often used for breaks by people walking the Kumano Kodo.

    前にも何回かトイレ休憩に立ち寄ったが閉まっている事多い。食事する所も近くにないので事前に気をつけよう

  • Sangenjaya-ato
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    3.5
    3 Reviews
    Travel / Tourism
    Wakayama prefecture Tanabe-shi Imonomiya
    This historic site is located at the junction of the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route's Nakahechi Trail and the Kohechi Trail (Hatenashi Trail) that connects Koyasan to Kumano. Three tea houses once stood there, and today the new building acts as a rest stop along the way. A stone signpost from the Edo period stands right nearby. It provides directions for those coming from Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, and is carved with expressions used in Japan's feudal era. There's evidence it also used to be a barrier station. It's now being restored, modeled after the gate at the Kukigakuchi Checkpoint.

    中辺路と、高野山と熊野を結ぶ熊野古道小辺路の分岐点にあり、名のとおりかつて三軒の茶屋があって賑わっていたという。 現在は休憩所が整備されていて、トイレもある。 「右かうや十九り半 左きみい寺三十一り半」と刻んだ振り分け石の道標が立っているが、写真のように、劣化していて、分かっていないと、そうは読めないです。 かつては九鬼ヶ口という関所でもあった。 そして、行き交う者は10文を払って、通行手形を受け...

Wakayama Areas

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Wakayama prefecture unites pilgrims, food lovers, and culture buffs in a tranquil corner of Japan at the base of the Kii Peninsula. The setting for many a Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trail, Wakayama invites those in search of spirituality from one side of the prefecture to the other, from the 100-plus Buddhist temples of the sacred Mount Koya in the west to the inspiring temples of the Kumano Sanzan set among breathtaking nature in the east. Once the grueling hike is complete, make a beeline for Wakayama city to savor some of the country’s most delicious ramen noodles.

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